Saturday, July 31, 2010

From 2:00 to 6:00 today (July 31) at 23rd & Smallman Street in the nearby Strip District, Pittsburgh's historic market district, Cioppino Restaurant (one of our Discover the Strip Package partners) and Right by Nature natural foods supermarket are hosting the 23rd & Smallman Festival. The Festival will feature live music, food prepared by Cioppino (including lobster rolls & lamb sliders), a beer wagon, red & white wine, and product samples from Right by Nature. It looks like a very pleasant way to wind up your afternoon poking through the markets and shops of the Strip. Be sure to stop by.

Friday, July 30, 2010

The deadline for our Priory Hospitality Group Winter White Wedding (TM) Giveaway to a military member who has served in Afghanistan or Iraq has been extended from August 1, 2010 to August 16, 2010. The winner will be drawn on August 18, 2010 here at the Grand Hall at the Priory. New this year, our generous partners are donating everything from a honeymoon cruise to wedding bands to hairstyling to formal wear. For more information, click here or visit http://www.thepriory.com/.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

The Pittsburgh Blues Fest takes place this weekend at Hartwood Acres outdoor amphitheater. This annual event is always a lot of fun, and takes place on the grounds of the scenic Hartwood Acres mansion in Hampton Township, which is about 12 miles to the Northeast of the Priory. This years acts include Eric Burdon (of The Animals fame) on Saturday evening, July 24, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd on Sunday, July 25. The music runs from afternoon till evening; gates open at 1:30 p.m. If you like the blues, definitely swing on out to Hartwood acres Saturday or Sunday.

A portion of the proceeds benefits the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

Friday, July 23, 2010

The annual North Side Celebration in the Park, sponsored by the North Side/ North Shore Chamber of Commerce, is set for this Saturday, July 24. A fair with entertainment, music, kids crafts and more, the Celebration in the Park takes place in the East Commons Park, just a few blocks from The Priory. If you're not doing anything, stop by for some food, music and fun. The event, which runs from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m., is free.

If you've never been to it, the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix offers a real treat. Schenley Park in Oakland/Squirrel Hill is transformed from tranquil park to Lime Rock. Saturday and Sunday (July 22 & 23) drivers jockey around the curving roads of the park in various classes of cars -- rom 1920's era racecars to 60's era sports cars. It's a true spectacle, and well worth the trip. To make matters more interesting, local enthusiasts display their own vintage cars throughout the park, so just meandering around is worthy use of time. Bring a picnic basket and watch the races! Read Bob Karlovits' story from the Tribune-Review here.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Take a chair, Nathan's! The estimable local website commenting on all things Pittsburgh, Pop City (http://www.popcitymedia.com/), has announced its top spots for hot dogs in the city. At the top of the list is Dee's Six Pax & Dogz in Regent Square, which has an excellent microbrew selection in addition to a killer hot dog. Also in the running of the dogs is Franktuary, located in an Episcopal church Downtown. On the burger front, Bistro 19 in Mt. Lebanon leads the pack with a juicy sirloin burger topped with the elements of your choice.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Light Up Night, which kicks off the Christmas season in Pittsburgh, is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this November. The 5oth Anniversary addition promises to be bigger and better than ever, with concerts and other entertainment, fireworks, ice sculptures, carriage rides, kids activities and much more. Set for November 19 & 20, its a perfect weekend for a getaway and a good opportunity to kick off Christmas 2010 in style! The festivities are literally just a 10 minute walk from the Priory's Deutschtown location. Check out Light Up Night's Facebook page here. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership's website also offers a host of information of what's going on downtown, just across the Allegheny River from the Priory.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Milko Miladinov, native of Bulgaria, oenophile, and popular host of several Priory wine tastings, was profiled recently by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist Brian O'Neill. Brian's column tells Milko's story of emigrating from Bulgaria and then landing in, of all unlikely places, Pittsburgh. Milko is a very fun, knowledgable and engaging fellow, and you can catch him at our August 19 al fresco wine tasting in our Priory courtyard.

Friday, July 2, 2010

The Rivers Casino is hosting a trial run of its table gaming for charity on July 6, two days before the games are to go live on July 8. The proceeds of the trial run will benefit the Mario Lemieux Foundation, which funds cancer research and was founded by Pittsburgh Penguins great (and present team owner) Mario Lemieux. Below is the press release for the trial run:

RIVERS CASINO PARTNERS WITH LEMIEUX FOUNDATION FOR TABLE GAMES TESTAll Proceeds from July 6 Event go to The Mario Lemieux Foundation

PITTSBURGH—June 16, 2010—Coming through when the chips were down made Mario Lemieux an international hockey celebrity and a hometown hero. Those game-changing plays for Pittsburgh made The Mario Lemieux Foundation the ideal “test night” partner for Rivers Casino, the organizations jointly announced today.

On July 6, when Rivers Casino conducts its operational test for table games, all proceeds for eight hours of table play will go to The Mario Lemieux Foundation.

During the test period, table play is for invited guests only. Restaurants at Rivers Casino will remain open throughout test day, and slot play will continue uninterrupted as usual.

“Thanks to Mario Lemieux and his terrific team, we’ll be in the company of champions on July 6,” said Todd Moyer, general manager of Rivers Casino. “And the winners will be area families and research supported by Mario’s foundation.”

The next day, July 7, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) will conduct a standard audit and verification of procedures, including a preliminary calculation of the amount of money raised and donated to The Mario Lemieux Foundation.

Then on Thursday, July 8 at 6 a.m. table games at Rivers Casino will permanently open to the public.

Rivers Casino selected The Mario Lemieux Foundation because of the charity’s outstanding philanthropic work and substantial contributions to the community. Created in 1993, The Mario Lemieux Foundation is dedicated to raising funds for cancer and neonatal research as well as Austin's Playroom Project, an initiative that creates sibling playrooms in medical facilities.

“We are absolutely thrilled to participate in one of Pittsburgh’s most talked-about events of the summer,” said Tom Grealish, president of the board of directors for The Mario Lemieux Foundation. “What better way to celebrate the arrival of table games at Rivers Casino than playing for a great cause.”

Rivers Casino will open with 86 table games, a mix of poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, three-card poker, Texas Hold'em Bonus, Pai Gow poker, mini baccarat, and Big Six. Launching table games at Rivers Casino has created 458 new jobs and will add an estimated $7 million in tax revenue for the community.

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ABOUT THE MARIO LEMIEUX FOUNDATIONThe Mario Lemieux Foundation was created in 1993 by hockey legend Mario Lemieux. After a successful battle with Hodgkin’s disease, Mario is now cancer-free and devotes much of his time to the Foundation raising funds to support its initiatives. The Mario Lemieux Foundation is dedicated to raising funds for cancer and neonatal research as well as Austin's Playroom Project, an initiative that creates sibling playrooms in medical facilities. For more information, visit www.mariolemieux.org.

ABOUT RIVERS CASINORivers Casino, which opened in August 2009, features nearly 3,000 slots, nine distinctive restaurants and bars, a riverside amphitheater, live music performances, free parking and multiple promotions and giveaways daily. Rivers will commence table game operations on July 8, 2010, including poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, three-card poker, Texas Hold'em Bonus, Pai Gow poker, mini baccarat, and Big Six. Rivers Casino is one of nine operating casinos in Pennsylvania and will employ approximately 1,400 people, once table games debut. Already, more than $62 million in jackpots have been awarded to slot players at Rivers Casino. For more information, visit www.theriverscasino.com.

Available for Interviews: Tom Grealish, president of the board of directorsThe Mario Lemieux Foundation

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Our July wine tasting in the courtyard of the Priory Hotel features Reid Vogel of Capital Wine and Sprits as our wine host. The July tasting is on July 15 (third Thursday as always), starting at 6:30 p.m.

Our theme for the tasting is Red, White & Blue Redux (in honor of Reid's previous patriotic-themed tasting last July). As is Reid's wont, we'll start off with a sparkling wine before plowing into our more hearty offerings.

About Me

I have been involved full time with the Priory Hospitality Group since 2002. Currently, I serve as President and CEO, overseeing our various interests, including the Priory Hotel, Pittsburgh's Grand Hall at the Priory, Priory Fine Pastries, Priory Hotel Consulting, LLC (our consulting arm), Priory Hotel Management, LLC (our hotel management company arm) and our real estate development operations, which includes a building housing a new Rita's Italian Ice in the neighborhood.
I have been married for nearly 28 years to Suzanne Graf, who is also an owner of the Priory Hospitality Group. We have four children - Laura (21), Will (20), Max (20) and Charlie (13), and live in the Borough of Ben Avon, about 6 miles to the West of The Priory.